book reviews Chemistry Eugene H. Cordes, Indiana University, and Riley Schaeffer, Indiana University, Harper and Row, Publishers, New York, 1973. 706 pp. Figs. end tables. 24 X 15 em. $12.95. The integrated approach to the college course in general chemistry which is the basis of the textbook "Chemistry" offers a new challenge to both teacher and student. The authors have attempted to intermesh all phases of ehemistry and to enlarge the boundaries to include related sciences, especially the biological and environmental ones. The result of this synthesis of sciences under a chemical umbrella is a descriptive text that almost fulfills its objectives. Four major subdivisions comprise the basic format of which approximately half the pages are devoted to the fundamentals of chemistry. This section hegins with symmetry and organic compounds and moves rapidly to complex molecules. Atomic structure, bonding, energetics, and reaction mechanisms complete Part I. There is an emphasis an unusual chemicals which is undesirable since the budding scientist who can hardly differentiate ammonia and the ammonium ion cannot be expected to he fascinated, for example, by the special pathway described for the hydrolysis of NFIH. The second topic, water, includes interesting descriptions of desalination methods and oxygen transport by hemoglobin. Light and energy are covered in the third part with a discussion of the origin of life. The last section on electron-transfer reactwn, rans~der, or~datiun-rrdurtam rractions and b~nchemrcal processes from the dynamics standpoint. In essence, the search for an integrated approach results in a superficial coverage that explores many topics but few in depth. The authors assume that a previous course in ehemistry has provided sufficient foundation to justify omitting background material. The unique structure of the book may compensate for this defi~~
~~
ciency. The chapters concerned with acidbase reactions and with nuclear energy are more classical while Parts Lll and N are the most interesting. The size of the book and its attractive design will appeal to students, hut the omission of gases and organic functional groups requires supplemental reading. Since "Chemistry" attempts to show the application of chemical principles to a variety of current problems in several disciplines, this book will be an interesting choice as a text for science majors. It will challenge the professor to explore in depth some new subjects and will enlarge the scope of chemistry to the student. GloriaG. Lyle University of New Hampshire
Durham, N. H 03824
Chemistry, Molecules that Matter Eugene G. Roehow, Harvard University, George Fleck, Smith College, Thomas R. Blackbum, Hohart and William Smith Colleges. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., New York, 1974. v ~ + i 669 pp. Figs. and Tables. 19.5 X 24.5 cm. $14 This is an introductory ehemistry textbook designed for nonmajors. Emphasis is given in it at appropriate points to the chemistry of everyday life and to the ehemistry of some of those major problems of society that have chemical aspects. It is thus a book with, as its authors say, "a slant," and not just another well-written hut straightforward book. Certainly it ought to appeal strongly to many of today's students. It begins with an interesting chapter dealing mostly with the nitrogen fertilizer problem as it existed in 1898 and the means used subsequently to solve it. This chapter is clearly designed to entice the student into the rest of the book and appears well-suited to its job. The book then continues with a series of chapters devoted for the most part to standard topics (atoms, molecules, molecular structure,
-Reviewed in this Issue Eugene H. Cordes and Riley Schaefjer, Chemistry Eugene G. Roehow, GeorgeFleck, and Thomas R. Blackbum, Chemistry, Molecules that Matter Earl S. Huyser, General College Chemistry Arthur L. Williams, Harlond D. Embree, and Harold J. DeBey, Introduction to Chemistry Bmno Vollmert, Polymer Chemistry J. M. G. Cowie, Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modem Materials D. C. Nonhebel and J C. Walton, Free-Radical Chemistry Gerald F Grillot, A Chemistry Background for the Paramedical Sciences Douid M. Bishop, GroupTheory and Chemistry Karol J. Mysels, Carlos M. Somour, and John H. Hollister, editors, Twenty Years of Colloid and Surface Chemistry: The Kendall Award Addresses New Volumes in Continuing Series
. . .A543 . . . A543 . . . A543 . . .A544 . . .A548 . . .A550 . . . A552 . . A554 . . .A556
. . . A556 . . .A557
etc.). The explanations of theories, principles, approaches, and techniques given in these chapters are clear and correct and are couched in language that is unstilted. Perhaps more emphasis is devoted to physical chemistry than to the ehemistry of given elements in these chapters. Thus while there are standard discussions of equilibria, thermochemistry, and so forth, there are no extended discussions of the chemistry of, for example, chlorine or sodium. This, however, is not to say that the hook is devoid of descriptive chemistry, for there are discussions of such topics as organic chemistry and biochemistry, and further a considerable amount of descriptive chemistry is woven into the physically oriented discussions. The hook closes with a chapter on same ease studies in environmental chemistry. This chapter, like the first, cannot help hut be of interest to many students. In most respects the format and layout of the book are such as to he attractive and helpful. All chapters having fundamental chemical material have abstracts, summaries, glossaries, problem sets, and annotated reading suggestion lists. Some chapters have interesting opening quotations and all of them have pertinent margin comments. The printing scheme (black and green on white) and the type face used are well chosen and the illustrations accompanying the text, while not out of the ordinary, are clear and serviceable. The length of the book is just about right. It is not so short as to he of little use and it is not so long as to be difficult to cover in a standard course. In all the book appears to he an attractive one. No doubt many teachers will want to examine it closely and consider it carefully for classroom use. Malcolm E. Kenney Case Western Reserve University Cleveland. Ohio 44106
General College Chemistry Earl S. Huyser, University of Kansas, D. C. Heath and Company, Lexington,
+
Mass. 02173, 1974. vii 565 pp. Figs. and tables. 18 X 26cm. $11.95. This hook is intended mainly for a oneyear terminal course for non-chemistry majors. It is clearly a chemistry hook emphasizing a solid core of chemical principles along with descriptive chemistry; as such it represents a compromise between the rigorous texts intended for chemistry majors and the rash of recent "about ehemistry" texts aimed for the nonscience major. The first eight chapters introduce many of the important general principles of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions and stoichiometry, and the properties of gases, liquids, solutions, and solids. The next seven chapters provide an extensive introduction to organic ehemistry, including a thorough treatment of polymers. The next segment is four chapters on biochemistry; as with the organic, coverage is mare extensive than most first-year texts. A final section o v e r s additional topics including electro(Continued on pageA544)
Volume 51, Number 11, November 1974
/
A543
